Why Are Students Ending Their Lives Even After Reaching IITs?

Gaining admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) is widely regarded as one of the highest academic achievements in the country. Yet, despite reaching these elite institutions, a disturbing number of students are losing the battle for their own lives. The recurring incidents of student suicides across IIT campuses have once again brought the nation face-to-face with a grave and deeply unsettling question: Why are some of India’s brightest minds unable to cope after achieving what millions aspire to?

In response to growing concern, the Union Ministry of Education has constituted a three-member high-level committee to investigate the rising number of suicides in IITs and recommend concrete measures to prevent such tragedies.

Alarming Numbers Paint a Grim Picture

According to data compiled by the Global IIT Alumni Support Group and shared with the Times News Network, at least 65 student suicides have been reported across various IITs between January 2021 and December 2025. Shockingly, 30 students lost their lives in just the last two years. These cases are not limited to undergraduate programmes; students from UG, PG and PhD courses have all been affected.

These figures highlight that the crisis is neither isolated nor incidental—it cuts across disciplines, academic levels and campuses.

IIT Kanpur Under the Spotlight

Recent incidents have drawn particular attention to IIT Kanpur, where two students died by suicide within the past month. In the last four months alone, three such cases have been reported on the campus. Data reveals that nine students at IIT Kanpur have died by suicide in the last two years, raising serious questions about institutional stress, support systems and mental health safeguards.

What Will the Committee Examine?

The newly formed committee will conduct a comprehensive review of mental health mechanisms across IITs. Its mandate includes:

• Assessing compliance with the July 2023 national guidelines issued for emotional and mental well-being in higher education institutions
• Studying patterns from previous suicide cases to identify common triggers and systemic failures
• Evaluating the accessibility and effectiveness of counselling services
• Reviewing faculty sensitivity, grievance redressal systems, and coordination between academic and residential units
• Recommending actionable, scalable solutions that can be implemented nationally to prevent such incidents

Committee Members and Timeline

The committee is chaired by Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman of the National Educational Technology Forum (NETF). Other members include Dr. Jitendra Nagpal, a noted psychiatrist, and Reena Sonowal, Joint Secretary (Higher Education). The panel has been directed to submit its report within 15 days.

Not Just an IIT Problem

Experts warn that the crisis extends far beyond elite institutions. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), over 13,000 students died by suicide in India in 2023 alone. From board examinations to competitive entrance tests like JEE and NEET, academic pressure, fear of failure, isolation and lack of emotional support continue to push young lives to the brink.

A Question the Nation Cannot Ignore

These deaths are not mere statistics—they are a reflection of a system that prioritizes performance over well-being. As India aspires to become a global knowledge powerhouse, the mental health of its students can no longer remain an afterthought.

The formation of the committee is a step forward, but the country now awaits not just a report—it awaits real change, accountability, and compassion.